World Reviewer rating

Must go!

Rating 3.9 (168 votes)

Mumbai, India

Every step taken in Mumbai is like a step in a minefield – though with less consequences - avoid the donkeys, don’t squash the children, beggar’s foot at 5:00, flower stand to the right, dazzling saris to the left; navigating these streets is an artistic combination of weaving and patience. The reward is experiencing a culture bursting at the seams. The city’s population, over 14 million strong, struggles with the balance of wealth and poverty as the city grows in population but not space. The streets provide no personal space, but they do offer the brilliance of colourful saris trailing behind women in the sun, fruits and nuts sold on every street corner, restaurants lining the walkway serving a variety of curries, and the occasional Bollywood star being followed by screaming girls.

The home of Bollywood, Mumbai is a taste of Hollywood mixed with Indian spice, and parts of the city scream of LA, with chic bars, five star restaurants, big black cars hosting famous stars, and the flash flash of photographer’s cameras. After a day spent pushing through mobs and seeing skyscrapers, slums, and temples, all in a few hours, indulge in a rare quiet evening at an exclusive restaurant where curry is the specialty and then take in one of the famed Bollywood movies on the big screen.